March Madness 2012 Predictions: Star Players Who Will Come Up Huge

March Madness is finally here, which means it's time to separate the men from the boys. It's time to see who can step up for their team in the clutch and perform when the bright lights on.

The tournament will have some of the brightest stars in the tournament competing against one another as they look to make a name for themselves or solidify their draft stock. 

That being said, these six players will undoubtedly come up big for their team when the moment is right. They are some of the best talents in the nation and will continue to shine bright through March and beyond.

Harrison Barnes

Not many teams have the personel to match up with Harrison Barnes, one of the most versatile players in the nation on one of the best teams in the nation. 

President Obama picked North Carolina to win it all on his bracket, and Barnes is a big reason why. He gets it done on both ends of the floor. He is too big for a guard to check on offense, while also too fast for big men to stay with. He is a walking match-up nightmare. 

He also knows how to use his size on the defensive end to bully smaller players and when the Tar Heels need a big shot they will likely look to Barnes in the post or out on the perimeter with a slower player guarding him. 

Barnes has showed us he can score and he has showed us he is not afraid of the big shot. Likely his last go in the tournament, look for Barnes to come up big. Very big. 

Casper Ware

Casper Ware arguably plays the game of basketball with the most heart in the nation. He is also one of the most talented. 

In Drew-league made famous because of the NBA players who participated during the lockout it was Ware who shined bright and won MVP of the league and it has been Ware leading the way for Long Beach State who is now poised for an unlikely run for a national championship.

As long as Ware is playing for LB State they have a chance. He is one of the best scorers the game of college basketball has ever seen and he is clearly a leader out there on the floor. 

Ware has come up time and time again this season and I look for him to continue to do so after playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation during regular season play. He has played some of the toughest competition not only this past season, but throughout his basketball career and is not the one to back down. Ware and company have the potential to be your bracket busters as they look to ride the momentum for as long as they can. 

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers has probably been the most hyped up college player this year. However, like great players do, he has lived up to the hype and performed on the big stages while playing at arguably the best basketball program in the nation.

Just by making the decision to go to Duke, Rivers proved that he was not afraid of the moment and not afraid of disappointment. He also pointed to that fact that although he is likely a one and done, he wants to win while he is in college, and Duke has a great chance of winning it all when all is said and done.

Rivers has hit countless big shots this season, none more notable than the one against Duke's rival North Carolina, and consistently steps into the big ones with confidence and a swagger that cannot be taught.

As the Blue Devils make their push in March don't be surprised if you see Rivers hit more than one big shot. The ball will be in his hands when the clock is ticking down and Rivers, with his killer mentality, will look for the dagger and the win.

Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond is a beast and arguably the best NBA prospect in college basketball. He plays for an extremely talented UCONN team that has struggled this season but is looking to right the ship during March. 

Drummond is a big man with the ability to control the game on both ends of the floor and although he plays with two of the most talented guards in the nation, it is Drummond who must play well for the Huskies to win.

There is no doubt that Drummond will be a lottery pick at the end of the day, but as he looks to build his resume during the tournament, I look for Drummond to play a much bigger role for UCONN down the stretch. 

Whether it be him getting more touches on the offensive end or controlling the boards on the defensive end, Drummond will come up big during the tournament and let people know he's the real deal.

Perry Jones

Not many people have Baylor winning it all, but I am a believer in this talented squad.

It has been Perry Jones who has dominated for the Bears this season on both sides of the floor. He is one of the most athletic players in the game and utilizes his athleticism very well. This kid is a 6'11" small forward. 

He can finish around the rim due to his stature and jumping ability. He can shoot the ball well for his size and has the potential to be a great NBA player. 

Jones is much more than a dunker and will look to lead the Bears to a championship this year. and it will have to be Jones who comes up big for Baylor to really compete. 

I wouldn't say that Baylor's chances rest solely on Jones' shoulders, but I'm sure he can feel the burden and pressure of being a leader as the tournament approaches. However, I believe it's nothing he can't handle.

Anthony Davis

You know how I said Drummond was arguably the best NBA prospect in the nation? Well yeah, this guy Anthony Davis might have a little something to say about that.

Davis has simply dominated the college basketball world this season and will likely be the number one pick in this year's upcoming draft. He doesn't have the most polished offensive game. You won't see him dropping 40 points. However, what he does do is control the tempo of the game and provides one of the best second-lines of defense you will ever see in basketball.

He constantly sends shots flying through the air, uni-brow and all, and on an extremely talented Kentucky team it has been the big man Davis who has shined bright all year. You will not find the ball in his hands when the clock is winding down and his team needs a basket to win the game, but he is the reason the Wildcats rarely find themselves in that position. 

Davis will continue to dominate the defensive end, while still consistently chipping in on offense and will make the Wildcats a very hard team to beat as they make their push through March Madness.